RIYADH — Brazilian forward Neymar has announced his return to full training with Saudi club Al Hilal, nearly a year after suffering a torn ACL and meniscus injury in his left knee during a national team match. Neymar, 32, joined Al Hilal in August 2023 in a massive transfer from French club Paris Saint-Germain. However, his participation was cut short after a knee injury on October 17 during Brazil's World Cup 2026 qualifier against Uruguay, limiting him to just five appearances for Al Hilal. On Sunday, Neymar posted on Instagram in Portuguese: "I'm happy to be back with the group... now everything is pure happiness." The Brazil captain also shared photos of himself training with his teammates and taking shots under the watchful eye of Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus. According to a club official, Neymar's return to matches "depends on his technical readiness and the coach's decision." Neymar resumed individual ball training in July, but Al Hilal has not yet registered him for the local league this season. However, he is included in the club's AFC Champions League squad, making him eligible to play in the elite continental competition. In May, coach Jesus stated that Neymar wouldn't be ready for competitive matches until at least September. Despite Neymar's absence, Al Hilal's results have remained strong. Last season, the club won all domestic titles, including the league, without a single defeat, recording 31 wins and 3 draws. The team also achieved a historic 34-match winning streak, which was only broken by UAE's Al Ain in the AFC Champions League semifinals, where the Emirati team eventually claimed the title. Brazil national team coach Dorival Júnior said on Friday that he will wait until Neymar is fully fit before recalling him to the squad. This statement came as the team prepared for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in October. Al Hilal striker, who has been sidelined since last year and missed the Copa America tournament, underwent surgery after suffering the torn ACL and meniscus. "We will wait, and we will be patient," Dorival said at a press conference. "It doesn't matter if he can't come back in October, November, or even February. He needs to feel secure, play again, and most importantly, fully recover from this injury." He added: "We've come to understand just how important he is. If he returns in the coming years, we'll have one of the greatest football players in the world during a key period in his career and for our national team." Brazil is currently in fifth place in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
